Republicans are feeling good about their chances of retaking the House next year. But there's also plenty that can get in their way.House GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney has doubled down on her criticism of former President Donald Trump and noted that Republicans lost the House, Senate and White House on his watch. | Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesORLANDO — For House Republicans, it’s less about how they can win back the majority and more about: How do they avoid messing things up?That’s the question on the minds of GOP lawmakers as they huddle in America’s theme park haven for their three-day...…Republicans are feeling good about their chances of retaking the House next year. But there's also plenty that can get in their way.House GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney has doubled down on her criticism of former President Donald Trump and noted that Republicans lost the House, Senate and White House on his watch. | Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesORLANDO — For House Republicans, it’s less about how they can win back the majority and more about: How do they avoid messing things up?That’s the question on the minds of GOP lawmakers as they huddle in America’s theme park haven for their three-day...WW…

Even allies say the president is lacking an apparatus and direction as he sorts out just what he wants to do in his post-presidency.The version of former President Donald Trump that has emerged in the month and a half since he left office is far from the political godzilla many expected him to be. | Mary Altaffer/AP PhotoHe backed away from creating a third party and has soured on the costly prospect of launching his own TV empire or social media startup.His vow to target disloyal Republicans with personally-recruited primary challengers has taken a backseat to conventional endorsements of...…Even allies say the president is lacking an apparatus and direction as he sorts out just what he wants to do in his post-presidency.The version of former President Donald Trump that has emerged in the month and a half since he left office is far from the political godzilla many expected him to be. | Mary Altaffer/AP PhotoHe backed away from creating a third party and has soured on the costly prospect of launching his own TV empire or social media startup.His vow to target disloyal Republicans with personally-recruited primary challengers has taken a backseat to conventional endorsements of...WW…

In an interview, she called Schumer’s comments an “extraordinary” backhanding of his most natural ally across the aisle.From left, Sen. Susan Collins and Sen. Charles Schumer chat at the Capitol on Feb. 3, 2015. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesWhile Washington undergoes a much-needed spring thaw, Chuck Schumer and Susan Collins’ relationship is frostier than ever.More than four months after Collins handily dispatched Schumer’s efforts to deny her a fifth term, the moderate Maine Republican and the Senate majority leader have no relationship to speak of. And that awkward dynamic could make...…In an interview, she called Schumer’s comments an “extraordinary” backhanding of his most natural ally across the aisle.From left, Sen. Susan Collins and Sen. Charles Schumer chat at the Capitol on Feb. 3, 2015. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesWhile Washington undergoes a much-needed spring thaw, Chuck Schumer and Susan Collins’ relationship is frostier than ever.More than four months after Collins handily dispatched Schumer’s efforts to deny her a fifth term, the moderate Maine Republican and the Senate majority leader have no relationship to speak of. And that awkward dynamic could make...WW…

The industry says it’s getting ambushed, complaining it didn’t even know lawmakers were planning the tax crackdown.A Doordash delivery person rides their bike on Church Avenue in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City. | Michael M. Santiago/Getty ImagesAirbnb, Etsy and other pillars of the gig economy are shaping up to be rare losers in Democrats’ coronavirus relief package.Buried in the legislation are provisions that will require them to provide a lot more information to the IRS about the money millions of people earn through their platforms, which is likely to bring in...…The industry says it’s getting ambushed, complaining it didn’t even know lawmakers were planning the tax crackdown.A Doordash delivery person rides their bike on Church Avenue in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City. | Michael M. Santiago/Getty ImagesAirbnb, Etsy and other pillars of the gig economy are shaping up to be rare losers in Democrats’ coronavirus relief package.Buried in the legislation are provisions that will require them to provide a lot more information to the IRS about the money millions of people earn through their platforms, which is likely to bring in...WW…

With one path closed, the president’s team is considering which others can be opened.In a meeting with Senate Democrats on Tuesday, the president reiterated his position: “We need to get to $15,” he said. “I fully support $15.” | AP Photo/Alex BrandonThe White House is weighing whether to engage in talks with Republicans on a minimum wage hike once Congress passes its Covid relief bill, two sources with knowledge of their strategic thinking say.White House aides said they believe there’s room to bring Republicans into the fold because raising the minimum wage is popular across ideological...…With one path closed, the president’s team is considering which others can be opened.In a meeting with Senate Democrats on Tuesday, the president reiterated his position: “We need to get to $15,” he said. “I fully support $15.” | AP Photo/Alex BrandonThe White House is weighing whether to engage in talks with Republicans on a minimum wage hike once Congress passes its Covid relief bill, two sources with knowledge of their strategic thinking say.White House aides said they believe there’s room to bring Republicans into the fold because raising the minimum wage is popular across ideological...WW…

Notably, some Republicans have backed a wage bump, but with extra strings that would divide Democrats.Senate Budget Chair Bernie Sanders and other progressives aren't yet ready to ditch the $15 figure. | Graeme Jennings/Pool via APDemocrats are scrambling to piece together a backup plan that could save their minimum wage hike from getting tossed out of President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion relief package and win over moderates wary of the proposal.The budget tool that Democrats are using to steer Biden’s plan through Congress without GOP support, known as reconciliation, is laden with thorny...…Notably, some Republicans have backed a wage bump, but with extra strings that would divide Democrats.Senate Budget Chair Bernie Sanders and other progressives aren't yet ready to ditch the $15 figure. | Graeme Jennings/Pool via APDemocrats are scrambling to piece together a backup plan that could save their minimum wage hike from getting tossed out of President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion relief package and win over moderates wary of the proposal.The budget tool that Democrats are using to steer Biden’s plan through Congress without GOP support, known as reconciliation, is laden with thorny...WW…

Many are taking their cues from the fact that the president still has not conceded.A vast swath of the president’s diehard base has disregarded Trump’s remarks, where he has instructed his followers to not engage in political violence. | Alex Brandon/AP PhotoPresident Donald Trump has instructed his followers to not engage in political violence following the deadly riots on the Capitol on Jan 6. But the video in which he made the plea has barely made a dent in the groundswell of extremism that was seen last week and has proliferated online since.A vast swath of the president’s diehard base...…Many are taking their cues from the fact that the president still has not conceded.A vast swath of the president’s diehard base has disregarded Trump’s remarks, where he has instructed his followers to not engage in political violence. | Alex Brandon/AP PhotoPresident Donald Trump has instructed his followers to not engage in political violence following the deadly riots on the Capitol on Jan 6. But the video in which he made the plea has barely made a dent in the groundswell of extremism that was seen last week and has proliferated online since.A vast swath of the president’s diehard base...WW…

The plan will essentially federalize the current patchwork pandemic response, including spending $20 billion to speed up vaccinations.President-elect Joe Biden speaks to the press after receiving his second dose of the Covid-19 vaccination in Newark, Del. | Alex Wong/Getty ImagesPresident-elect Joe Biden on Thursday night broke sharply with the Trump administration on fighting the coronavirus pandemic, unveiling a new plan for a robust federal role in everything from testing to vaccine delivery.In a speech in Wilmington, Del., Biden, called on Congress to swiftly pass a nearly $2 trillion...…The plan will essentially federalize the current patchwork pandemic response, including spending $20 billion to speed up vaccinations.President-elect Joe Biden speaks to the press after receiving his second dose of the Covid-19 vaccination in Newark, Del. | Alex Wong/Getty ImagesPresident-elect Joe Biden on Thursday night broke sharply with the Trump administration on fighting the coronavirus pandemic, unveiling a new plan for a robust federal role in everything from testing to vaccine delivery.In a speech in Wilmington, Del., Biden, called on Congress to swiftly pass a nearly $2 trillion...WW…

Her push gives weight to a Democratic effort to remove Trump, possibly through impeachment.Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday called for Vice President Mike Pence to immediately initiate the removal of President Donald Trump, declaring him a seditious threat to the country who can’t be trusted to finish even the last two weeks of his term.Pelosi’s extraordinary statement, a day after Trump-inspired mobs ransacked the Capitol, lends significant weight to a mounting Democratic effort to oust Trump, either by impeaching him for the second time or pressuring Pence and Cabinet officials to invoke...…Her push gives weight to a Democratic effort to remove Trump, possibly through impeachment.Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday called for Vice President Mike Pence to immediately initiate the removal of President Donald Trump, declaring him a seditious threat to the country who can’t be trusted to finish even the last two weeks of his term.Pelosi’s extraordinary statement, a day after Trump-inspired mobs ransacked the Capitol, lends significant weight to a mounting Democratic effort to oust Trump, either by impeaching him for the second time or pressuring Pence and Cabinet officials to invoke...WW…

Months of pressure from state and city leaders failed to secure aid for local governments as part of the deal emerging in Congress.New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy told reporters Wednesday morning that leaving state and local aid out of the stimulus package is “completely unacceptable.” | Seth Wenig/AP PhotoAmerica’s governors seethed on Wednesday over news that a much-anticipated federal stimulus package will not include a bailout for local governments — and accused Washington of abandoning states and cities.Leaders across the country pleaded with Congress for months to reach a deal that would...…Months of pressure from state and city leaders failed to secure aid for local governments as part of the deal emerging in Congress.New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy told reporters Wednesday morning that leaving state and local aid out of the stimulus package is “completely unacceptable.” | Seth Wenig/AP PhotoAmerica’s governors seethed on Wednesday over news that a much-anticipated federal stimulus package will not include a bailout for local governments — and accused Washington of abandoning states and cities.Leaders across the country pleaded with Congress for months to reach a deal that would...WW…